Automatic temperature control for bread toasters



June 2, 1925. 1,540,628

F. E. HURXTHAL ET AL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BREAD TOASTERS Filed Dec. 1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FWME M l aw 0.1%mzai.

June 2, 1925. 1,540,628

F. E. HURXTHAL ET AL AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BREAD TOASTERS Filed Dec. 1, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 2, 1925.

UNITED sures PATENT orr es.

FREDERICK E. HURZTHAL, 0] 8m, OHIO, AND AZPHEUS O. HUBZTHiL, OI PHILA- DELPHIL, PHUNBYLVLN'IA.

AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BREAD TOASTEBS.

Application filed December 1, 1924. Berta] F0. 768,155.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK E. Hoax- THAL and Anrmws O. Hrmxman, residing, respective] in Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, and hiladelphia: Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Automatic Temperature Control for Bread Toasters, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide means, such as a sensitive element, for indicatin automatically that an edible, such as brea has been toasted, or scared, to a desired degree, said indicating mechanism being either means for separating the edible from the heating element or the operation of an audible or visible signal. It is also possible to break the electric circuit leading to the toaster.

In the present instance, the invention is shown in connection with an electric toaster of a known type, but it will be understood that it can be applied to a toaster used in connection with any heating device.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric bread toaster embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view;

F i 4 is a view illustrating a toaster provide with electric release mechanism for the toast carrier;

Fi 5 is a diagrammatic view showin the e ectric circuit of the device illustrate in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an electric circuit breaker for the main circuit of the heating element of the toaster;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an auxiliary circuit, the opening and closing of which operates an audible, or visible, sigml; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showin signaling circuit, which is controlled sensitive elements oneach side of a doubl d toaster.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, these illustrate an electric toaster having a mechanical means for releasing the bread carrier,.actuated by a sensitive element. The base 1 of the electric' toaster sup ports a frame 2. This frame is provided with the ordinary electric heating element 3. The wires supplyin the electric current are attached to termiua 4 and 5.

12 that rests in a V-bearing 13 on the top of the frame. On one end of the bar is a pawl 14, which is arranged toengage one of the teeth 10 of the arm 9 of the bread carrier. Attached to the other end of the bar is a spring 15, which is connected to a bracket 16 on the frame.

17 designates a wire forming the expansion element. This wire is attached at 18 to the lower portion of the frame 2 and extends through an opening in the upper portion of the frame. It is attached to an ad- 'usting screw 19, which is threaded into the ar 11. On the screw is a jamb nut.

We have discovered that the temperature rectly, is fairly definite. The surface of the untoasted bread is comparatively cool and the wire, or other expansive element 1 assumes the temperature of the bread against, or near, which it is placed. The temperature of the expansion element increases in proportion to the increase in temperature of the surface of the bread. When the surface of the bread has reached a certain degree of heat, and has become toasted, the element 17 has expanded to such an extent as to allow the spring 15 to raise the awl 14 on the bar 11, clear of the teeth 10 o the bread carrier, allowing the carrier to turn on its pivot and to fall awa from the'heating elements 3, as shown by otted lines in Fig. 3.

The bread, one side of which has been toasted to the proper degree, is turned and the carrier is again raised. In the meantime, the wireor other expansion element has contracted suflicientlyto allow the awl on the bar 11 to re-enga e the teeth 0 the carrier when raised. e carrier is held until the other surface of the bread is toasted" and then it is released again.

By turning the screw 19, the mechanism may be aclijusted to allow the bread to remain for ifl'erent periods so that the surfaces of the bread can be toasted to any degree desired.

While one form of bread toaster to which the invention is applied has been described, it will be understood that the invention can be applied to other forms of toasters. Al-

toasted.

The mechanism for maintaining the car rier in the toasting position ma be a mechanical latch, such as illustrate in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or an electrical element, such as a solenoid. In fact, any device, which can be operated by a sensitive element to release the carrier, or to move the electric heating elements away from the carrier, or to make an audible or visible si al, or to cut out the electric current lea ing to the toaster, ma be employed.

1 Fi 4 and 5, a toaster is illustrated, in which t e sensitive wire 17 a is arranged horizontally and is attached to a circuit maker 20 at one side of the toaster frame 2", and is also attached to adjusting means 21 at the opposite side thereof. A solenoid magnet 22 is so located that its core 23, which has a head 24, is arranged to enga e an arm 25 on the bread carrier 6, when t e core is drawn into the magnet. One end of the solenoid magnet 22 is connected to a wire 29 that leads to the heating element. The opposite end of the solenoid magnet is connected to one arm of a circuit breaker 26. The other arm of the circuit breaker is connected to the terminal 27 of the circuit maker 20 to which the sensitive wire 17 is attached. The contact-arm 28 of the circuit maker is connected to the other main wire 30, leading to the heating element.

In Fig. 6 is shown, in diagram, an arran ement by which the circuit leading to t e heating element is interrupted when the bread has been toasted to the degree desired, so as .to discontinue the toasting.

The core 23" of the solenoid magnet 22" has a cam 24", which is arranged to actuate a switch, or other cut-out device, in the oil'- cuit leading to the heating elements. One end of the magnet 22 is connected to a main wire 29 and the other end of the magnet is connected to one arm of a circuit breaker 26". The other arm of the circuit breaker is connected to the arm 28" of the circuit maker 20", while the terminal 27" is connected to the main wire 30". A resistance coil may be placed in the circuit, as at 31, if desired.

The cam may not only actuate a switch, or other device, to break the circuit leadingto the electric heating element, but may also trip the bread carrier, if desired.

n Fig. 7 an arrangement is shown, in

which a buzzer, or electric bulb, 32 is in a y circuit tapped off of the heating element 3. The circuit maker 20, which is controlled by the sensitive element 1'4" is in the circuit. When the wire, or other element, elongates, the circuit maker closes the circuit and the buzzer gives an audible signal. A bulb ma be substituted for the buzzer, if desire which is illuminated when the circuit is closed to give a visible signal-that the bread has been toasted tothe degree desired.

In Fig. 8 is shown, in diagram, one arrangement of providing a signal controlled by a sensitive element 17 on each side of a double toaster and connected through an auxiliary circuit from the heating element 3 with a signal, such as a buzzer, 32, or an electric light.

In the claims, the word indicating is used in the broad sense to include separating the, bread, or other material, and the heating element, operating the circuit of the heating element, or giving an audible, or visible, signal.

While the toasting of bread has been described, it will be understood that the invention can be used, for toasting, or searing, other material without departing from the main features of the invention.

We claim: V

1. In a toasting device, a sensitive element located in such relation to the surface of the material to be toasted that it will be affected by the surface temperature of the material, and mechanism, actuated by the sensitive element, for indicating when the material is toasted.

2. The combination in a toaster of a heating element; a carrier for the material to be toasted; and automatic means for sto pin the toasting of the material when t e sur ace of the material being toasted has reached a given degree.

3. In a toasting device, a sensitive element located in such relation to the surface of the bread to be toasted that it will be affected by the surface temperature of the bread and will stop the toasting of the bread when a given temperature is reached.

4. The combination in a toaster, of a frame having a heating element; a bread carrier arranged to hold the bread in position to be toasted by said element and means for automatically separating the bread and the heating element when the surface of the bread being toasted has reached a given temperature.

5. The combination in a toaster, of a frame; an electric heatin element thereon; a bread carrier arrange to be located in close proximity to the heating element; means for retaining the bread carrier in toasting position; and an ex ansion element controlling said means, sai element being in such position, in respect to the surface of the bread, as to be all'ecled by the surface temperature of the bread.

6. The combination in a toaster, of a frame; an electric heating element thereon; a bread carrier pivoted to the frame; a bar arranged to hold the frame in front of the electric. heating element; and a wire attached to the frame and to the bar, said wire being located between the heating element and the bread carrier and arranged in such position, in respect to the surface of the bread, as to be affected by the surface temperature of the bread. 7

7. The combination in a toaster, of a frame; an electric heating element thereon; a bread carrier pivoted to the frame; a toothed arm on the carrier; a bar pivotally mounted on the frame; a pawl on the bar arranged to engage the toothed arm of the carried; aspring or withdrawing the pawl; and a wire attached to the frame and to the bar and extending between the electric heating element and the bread and arranged in such position, in respect to the surface of the bread, as to be affected by the surface temperature of the bread.

, FREDERICK E. HURXTHAL.

. ALPHEUS OJHURXTHAL.

the bread, as to be affected by the surface temperature of the bread.

6. The combination in a toaster, of a frame; an electric heating element thereon; a bread carrier pivoted to the frame; a bar arranged to hold the frame in front of the electric heating element; and a wire attached to the frame and to the bar, said wire being located between the heating element and the bread carrier and arranged in such position, in respect to the surface of the bread, as to be all'ected by the surface temperature of the bread.

7. The combination in a toaster, of a frame; an electric heating element thereon; a bread carrier pivoted to the frame; a toothed arm on the carrier; a bar pivotally mounted on the frame; a pawl on the bar arranged to engage the toothed arm of the carried; a spring for withdrawing the pawl; and a wire attached to the frame and to the bar and extending between the electric heating element and the bread and arranged in such position, in respect to the surface of the bread. as to be affected by the surface temperature of the bread.

FREDERICK E. HURXTHAL.

. ALPHEUS OLHURXTHAL.

DISCLAIMER 1,540,628.-Fmderick E.

phia, Pa. AUTOMATIC dated June 2, 1925. Schwartz Electric Company.

Disclaimer filed January 9, 1932, by the assignee,

Hurrthril; Salem, Ohio, and Alpbeus O. Hurzthal, Philadel- TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BREAD Toasrnns.

Patent Proctor (5 Therefore disclaims from the specification the paragraph appearing at lines 84 to 89 of page 2 of the specification, which reads as follows:

In the claims, the word indicating is used in the broad sense to lnclude separating the bread, or other material, and the heating heating element, or giving an audible, or VlSlblG signalf from the scope of claim referred to in said claim,

Your petitioner also discl iins in which the indicating means, audibly.

[Oflicial Gazette February 9, 1932.]

element, operating the circuit of the 1 all devices except those is for indicating visibly or DISOLAI MER 1,540,628.Freder-ick E. Hurxthal; Salem, Ohio, and Alpheus O. Hurzthal, Philadelphia, la. AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BREAD Toas'rnns. Patent dated June 2, 1925. Disclaimer filed January 9, 1932, by the assignee, Proctor (tr Schwartz Electric Oompu n y.

Therefore disclaims from the specification the paragraph appearing at lines 84 to 89 of page 2 of the specification, which reads as follows:

In the claims, the word indicating is used in the broad sense to include separating the bread, or other material, and the heating element, operating the circuit of the heating element, or giving an audible, or visible signal.

Your petitioner also discl -ims from the scope of claim 1 all devices except those in (giilich the indicating means, referred to in said claim, is for indicating visibly or an y.

[Qflicial Gazette February 9, 1932.] 

